ReefKeeper64
Wanna be a reefkeeper
What exactly is concentrated microalgae? Spirulina powder perhaps?
Rotifer Tower
- Thread starter herring_fish
- Start date
What exactly is concentrated microalgae? Spirulina powder perhaps?
herring_fish
Crazy Designer
I got the robot running and started on an 8 outlet surge protector that is run with the Arduino micro-controller and a relay board. There are a LOTS of wires. I added LED's (left) so that I could tell which outlets are on or off.
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herring_fish
Crazy Designer
Right now, I use Reed Mariculture Rotifer Diet, RGcomplete or Phyto Feast. All of them are concentrated phyto plankton. The last one is algae that is still alive.
If the N&P was not relatively low, I wouldn't care too much because I use an algal turf scrubber and it would use N&P as food.
Liquids are more expensive but I tried using powdered algae and they were much harder to get the right amount to use tuned in so I had crashes, not with the liquids. Later, if I get many more things automated, I might go back to experimenting with the powders. Liquids also work well with manual syringes the peristaltic pumps.
If the N&P was not relatively low, I wouldn't care too much because I use an algal turf scrubber and it would use N&P as food.
Liquids are more expensive but I tried using powdered algae and they were much harder to get the right amount to use tuned in so I had crashes, not with the liquids. Later, if I get many more things automated, I might go back to experimenting with the powders. Liquids also work well with manual syringes the peristaltic pumps.
ReefKeeper64
Wanna be a reefkeeper
How is the tank looking and what corals or fish are getting the most benefit from the rotifers?
herring_fish
Crazy Designer
Even when I have the tower running at full tilt, it seamed like a I am pouring a glass into the ocean. At top output, it produces two or three gallons per day but that isn't much if you are not spot feeding. It might go further if the pumps didn't cut some of it up. I see the output in the tank but it is a 130 gallon tank so it spreads out quite a bit. That's why I want to go to six or more towers. In addition to that, I often take the tower off line to experiment or change hardware.
I won't have any real results until I got it automated. At that point, the density should be even higher because of being able to feed smaller amounts, much more often. With the 2 gallon turn over, waste wouldn't normally be an issue but I will push it right up to the limit. Enough air is added to make it look like it is at a strong boil. I'll be able to carefully and methodically inch the feeding up until it crashes. Then I can back off and things should be great. At least, that's the plan.
I won't have any real results until I got it automated. At that point, the density should be even higher because of being able to feed smaller amounts, much more often. With the 2 gallon turn over, waste wouldn't normally be an issue but I will push it right up to the limit. Enough air is added to make it look like it is at a strong boil. I'll be able to carefully and methodically inch the feeding up until it crashes. Then I can back off and things should be great. At least, that's the plan.
herring_fish
Crazy Designer
Unfortunately, after 20 plus years in the hobby, I had a total system crash while I was on vacation. I went through a mourning period and then I bought a 180 gallon tank that is the same as the 130 but instead of a 24 inch height, it is 31. I finished the design for a new cabinet and am in the process of getting it built.
Mostly unrelated to all that, I just got all of my wood floors replace over the holidays so there is a lot of stuff going on.
Only after all that is finished will I fire up the plankton towers again.
Mostly unrelated to all that, I just got all of my wood floors replace over the holidays so there is a lot of stuff going on.
Only after all that is finished will I fire up the plankton towers again.
doctorwhoreefer
In Memoriam
The most successful rot/pod culture I ever had, was a 1 gallon tank from walmart that sat on the window ledge. I fed it originally with abunch of fish food and let the algae absolutely coat the sides. Then I introduced critters, changed maybe 6oz of water a week. If the algae was dying down, I would add a pinch of flake.
Pretty self-sustaining system, just make sure the top is fairly sealed, oxygen exchange will happen between the algae/water. It will look pretty unsightly, but a haven for the critters.
Pretty self-sustaining system, just make sure the top is fairly sealed, oxygen exchange will happen between the algae/water. It will look pretty unsightly, but a haven for the critters.
muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
Unfortunately, after 20 plus years in the hobby, I had a total system crash while I was on vacation. I went through a mourning period and then I bought a 180 gallon tank that is the same as the 130 but instead of a 24 inch height, it is 31. I finished the design for a new cabinet and am in the process of getting it built.
Mostly unrelated to all that, I just got all of my wood floors replace over the holidays so there is a lot of stuff going on.
Only after all that is finished will I fire up the plankton towers again.
This looks great! Did the crash have anything to do with this project in your opinion?
herring_fish
Crazy Designer
Sorry for the slow update.
The crash was comletly unrelated to my project but it was of my own doing.
I restarted my auto top of system, the night before I left. It used simple timers from Home Depot. When I did that, I flipped the wrong switch and the solenoid valve stayed on day and night instead of only being on for a few minutes every 3 hours.
The tank over flowed and kept on over flowing until my Daughter checked in on the third day. By then I had pretty close to a fresh water tank. She did some big water changes but that just couldn't turn the tide.
When I got back just about everything was gone. I couldn't save anything at all. I just cleaned the tank and moved the live rock to big garbage bends and aerated them to keep the bacteria alive.
The crash was comletly unrelated to my project but it was of my own doing.
I restarted my auto top of system, the night before I left. It used simple timers from Home Depot. When I did that, I flipped the wrong switch and the solenoid valve stayed on day and night instead of only being on for a few minutes every 3 hours.
The tank over flowed and kept on over flowing until my Daughter checked in on the third day. By then I had pretty close to a fresh water tank. She did some big water changes but that just couldn't turn the tide.
When I got back just about everything was gone. I couldn't save anything at all. I just cleaned the tank and moved the live rock to big garbage bends and aerated them to keep the bacteria alive.
dave willmore
New member
Asa, that is such a sad news event. I've also been in the hobby for 30 some years and have made a lot of mistakes. Each time I took off a few years for mourning, then came back with a bigger, badder system.
It looks like you are doing the same. Your new build will be a great one.
It looks like you are doing the same. Your new build will be a great one.
herring_fish
Crazy Designer
Just FYI
Just FYI
I started a post called Net Tank Build in the DIY section.
I will return when I get that done.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=23526753#post23526753
Just FYI
I started a post called Net Tank Build in the DIY section.
I will return when I get that done.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=23526753#post23526753
